Charles E. Nelson
Vice President for the Headquarters Project
Latin America | Organization of American States
Phone: (202) 429-3831
E-mail: cnelson@usip.org
Languages: Portuguese
Charles E. Nelson is vice president of USIP's Headquarters project. Among his many duties, he works
on USIP’s relations with Congress and on the development of architectural plans and funding for the
Institute's new headquarters building. He also oversees the Institute's Latin America activities,
which have included programs focusing on democracy-building, civil-military relations and the
Organization of American States.
Nelson has extensive negotiating experience with governments and the private sector. Before joining
the Institute, he served as vice president of an American export trading company conducting
business with Latin America. He also was an executive in the RAND Corporation’s Housing and Civil
Justice Programs. Nelson has worked as a lawyer, manager and senior administrator in the U.S.
Agency for International Development and in a private consulting firm on economic and social
development programs in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
He holds a B.A. and an LL.B. from Harvard University, is a graduate of the National War College and
has completed graduate courses at the London School of Economics.
